Diamantino

Diamantino, released in 2018, is a feverishly inventive and genre-defying film from the creative minds of Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt. This Portuguese film, spread across the genres of drama, fantasy, and science fiction, strides across an array of cinematic styles and storytelling traditions to deliver an end product that's as confounding as it's captivating. Portuguese actor Carloto Cotta delivers a captivating performance in the lead role, with stellar support from Cleo Tavares, Anabela Moreira, and a diverse cast that further enriches the storyline.

The plot revolves around Diamantino Matamouros, the world's greatest soccer star played expertly by Cotta. Diamantino is beloved not just for his extraordinary prowess on the field, but also for his staggering naïveté and innocence off the pitch, seeing the world in an almost childlike manner, often visualizing the football field filled with fluffy giant puppies, a symbol of his innocence. However, the story really kicks off after suffering a monumental failure on the world stage which leads to the end of his illustrious football career and begins Diamantino’s journey into a world filled with conspiracies, genetic modifications, political machinations, and renowned scientists aiming to replicate his genius in a bottle.

Cleo Tavares plays a key role as Rahim, a Mozambican refugee, who with his sister Aisha (played by Anabela Moreira) gets entwined in Diamantino's life, further enhancing the movie's narrative complexity. Their paths cross with Diamantino’s when the Lisbon-based sisters, who are also undercover agents for the Portuguese Secret Service, infiltrate his opulent mansion with the purpose of unveiling his part in money laundering. Rahim, disguised as a teen boy named 'Dany' is adopted by the unsuspecting Diamantino, setting in motion a series of hilarious, provocative, and utterly unpredictable events.

Diamantino's life takes wilder turns as he is lured into a populist political campaign, becomes entangled in his villainous twin sisters' money-laundering scheme, and is used as a test subject in grotesque genetic experiments aimed at creating super-athletes.

"Diamantino" is an overtly political film that cleverly uses its absurd and surreal narrative to comment on the contemporary socio-political landscape of Europe, touching various contentious issues like nationalism, migration, genetic experimentation, and the cult of celebrity culture. This psychedelic odyssey takes a playful yet satirical look at a wide range of themes, anchored by the endearing underdog character of Diamantino, who navigates these surrealistic waters with childlike innocence and genuine goodwill.

With its visual extravagance, the cinematography of the film seems to match its narrative richness. Whether it's Diamantino's dreamlike sequences featuring his beloved puppies or the extravagant depiction of the life of a superstar athlete, directors Abrantes and Schmidt have left no stone unturned in making the movie visually compelling. It's also noteworthy how the film uses dazzling color palettes to set its variously absurd, dramatic, and farcical moods.

The film underscores its absurd narrative with a solid backdrop of a dramatic score. The composition ranges from indie-pop to classical melodies and country tunes, helping pace the craziness on screen while adding a certain rhythm to this roller coaster of a narrative.

"Diamantino" thus integrates melodramatic absurdity, edgy satire, cinematic grandeur, and subtle emotional storytelling. Fantasy and reality exist side by side in this aesthetically stimulating world, constantly defying any attempt to categorize it into established genres. It's an imaginative carnival of cinematic storytelling that is perceived to be a unique contribution to world cinema. For the discerning viewer, this film is an insightful satire that provokes critical think pieces, while for the casual viewer, it's a fun, fantastical adventure that prompts appreciative giggles.

Whether viewers perceive "Diamantino" as a sparkling diamond or a zany cubic zirconia depends largely on their openness to a film that gleefully shatters cinematic norms. But one thing's for sure: it's a trip like no other, as exuberant as it's unexpected!